During this period of unprecedented challenge related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Honda is working to support its customers, associates, and business partners throughout North America, and, just as critically, to assist communities throughout the region where people are suffering the devastating effects of this health crisis.
Following is a summary of the actions Honda has taken, thus far, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding its customers, associates, business operations and community partners:
Support of Healthcare Providers
- Engineers at Honda Engineering North America, LLC. in Marysville, Ohio, leveraged their expertise in plastic injection molding to manufacture 130,000 face shields that were donated to healthcare workers at over 300 medical facilities in 45 states. In addition, Honda of Canada Mfg. supported the production of face shields as part of a multi-company effort in Canada. And associates at five different Honda facilities used 3D printers to make parts for face shields donated to healthcare facilities and first responders. Read more here.
- Honda modified 10 Odyssey minivans and provided them to the City of Detroit to transport people potentially infected with COVID-19, as well as healthcare workers. To help protect the health of the driver from the potential for droplet infection during transportation, the Honda Odysseys were retrofitted with a plastic barrier behind the front seating area, as well as modifications to the ventilation system to maintain an air pressure differential between front and rear seating areas. Read more here.
- Honda has teamed up with Dynaflo Inc. to produce diaphragm compressors, a key component of portable ventilators used in hospitals and by first responders to help those stricken with the COVID-19 virus. The companies aim to produce 10,000 compressors per month. Read more here.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): 10 Honda facilities in North America combined to donate over 200,000 PPE items to healthcare providers and first responders, including gloves, face shields, N95 protective masks, alcohol wipes, half-mask respirators and other protective gear.
- Honda and General Motors are producing nearly 12,000 gallons of hand sanitizer through their Fuel Cell System Manufacturing partnership in Detroit, Mich. Honda is donating nearly 75 percent of the bottles – produced through the project – to healthcare facilities in Ohio and Michigan. About 1,500 gallons of hand sanitizer will be used in Honda’s North American manufacturing plants to help provide a clean and safe environment for our associates. Read more here.
Community Support
Honda has initiated significant and comprehensive new efforts to harness the spirit of community in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Honda pledged $1 million to address the immediate needs of communities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, providing the most vulnerable with access to food. The pledge is part of a range of efforts Honda is undertaking to support community and government actions aimed at helping people combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The donations to food banks and meal programs have been distributed to nonprofit organizations that address food insecurity across the region.
- Building on the commitment of Honda associates to community volunteerism, Honda has a COVID-19 Special Matching Gift Program that enables associates to make monetary donations to food programs in their communities, matching up to $1,000 for each individual associate. The matching fund is in addition to Honda’s $1 million pledge to address food insecurity.
- Honda associates also can participate in a Community Support program, which enables them to apply for a $100 grant to support a charity of their choice affected by COVID-19.
- The Honda Center, a Honda-sponsored entertainment venue in Southern California, has been used as a social-distant distribution center by the Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute food to those in need. Some of the food is from Honda’s pledge to address food insecurity.
- Volunteerism: Honda is empowering our associates in North America to help people in need in their local communities while maintaining social distancing. Some of the activities include setting up a neighborhood food pantry, grocery shopping for elderly neighbors and using social media to offer help with other tasks that can be completed from home.
- Honda has launched the #ThankaHealthCareHero social media campaign to encourage people to offer gratitude to doctors, nurses, paramedics, fire, police and other frontline professionals who place themselves at risk to protect the public’s health and safety.
- Honda has partnered with 58 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on a COVID-19 relief initiative. With redirected funds from the canceled 2020 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), HBCUs have donated $325,000 from Honda to serve 108 organizations in 20 states.
Customer Support
For our customers experiencing financial stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have established a number of emergency relief measures.
- The Honda and Acura brands have offered to help customers who financed their vehicles through Honda Financial Services or Acura Financial Services with payment extensions and deferrals, as well as available late fee waivers.
- 90 Days to First Payment Program: through July 6, a 90-day deferred payment is available to qualified customers for new vehicle sales financed by Honda and Acura Financial Services.*
- Honda also has established new online sales programs – Shop Simple by Honda and Acura Precision Purchase – which enable customers to purchase new Honda and Acura vehicles from the comfort of their own homes.
- Honda and its powersports dealer network have implemented temporary measures regarding remote delivery of Honda Powersports products enabling customers, who aren't able or prefer not to enter a dealership, to complete the entire purchase process without leaving their home or business. Depending on state or local regulations, dealers may or may not be offering home delivery, so interested customers should contact their local dealer to confirm, and for additional details on Honda's home-delivery policy.
- If a vehicle requires repair or maintenance, pending state and local government recognition of transportation as an essential need, a local Honda/Acura dealer service operation should be open and able to provide service.
Special Offers for Healthcare Heroes
- Both the Honda and Acura brands are offering select and eligible first responders and healthcare professionals a $1,000 discount on new vehicles financed or leased through Honda Financial Services or Acura Financial Services through July 6. To learn more about these and other programs, please visit our website at [https://automobiles.honda.com/covid-19]
Honda Associate Support
- Honda’s utmost concern is the health and wellbeing of our associates.
- Honda resumed production at its powersports facility in South Carolina on Monday, May 4. Honda’s U.S. and Canadian auto plants resumed production the week of May 11.
- Honda created a call center of Honda HR professionals to help associates navigate their benefits, income replacement opportunities and changes to 401(k) plan rules related to the CARES Act.
- Many Honda office associates are working remotely from home or place of residence.
- In-office activity is limited to essential activities. For those essential associates working in Honda facilities, the company is taking additional steps to meet health and safety guidelines and support social distancing. These measures may vary by location, but include:
- Process adjustments to reduce associate interaction;
- Temperature checks upon arrival at Honda facilities;
- Requiring and providing face coverings at all facilities;
- Staggering shift start times and lunch times to reduce congestion;
- Changing seating layouts in the cafeterias and reducing capacity in all meeting rooms to reduce congestion;
- Limiting physical gatherings and maintaining social distancing to the extent feasible; and
- Adhering to the government recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting our sites based on CDC guidelines.
- A new temporary paid personal leave of absence program is available for associates who are impacted by COVID-19 circumstances and not eligible for remote work. This leave of up to 14-calendar days (10 business days) is for associates who qualify under the following criteria:
- Associates who cannot come to work due to being quarantined or a household member is quarantined; and/or
- Associates who are experiencing childcare issues due to COVID-19 school or daycare closings for children 12 years old or younger, and dependents with special needs.
- Associates who have COVID-19 or are being evaluated for COVID-19 are also entitled to this temporary paid personal leave of absence program to insure they are receiving full pay for the first 14 days of their illness (with disability leave available thereafter, if needed).
- Travel restrictions:
- Honda is prohibiting all international travel due to the latest advisories from the U.S. Department of State, with exceptions for critical need.
- Honda is prohibiting all non-essential domestic travel within each country in North America.
- Only business-essential visitors can access Honda facilities with pre-approval from management.
Marketing/Social Media
- Honda and Acura have adjusted marketing and social media efforts reflective of the challenges facing its customers.
- Honda’s “The Power of Something Greater” marketing campaign builds on the company’s pledge to communities and customers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by adding meaning to The Power of Dreams during these unprecedented times. The advertising and social media campaign focuses on how the strength of coming together as a community can help people get through challenging times and emerge even stronger: honda.us/PowerofSomethingGreater.
- The visual elements of the campaign focus on the core ways Honda is dedicated to supporting those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes contributions to food banks and meal programs, support for healthcare providers and the virtual volunteer efforts of Honda associates. The campaign also is featured across social media, where Honda is connecting with community.
- Acura is reminding customers how the brand is here to help during these challenging times in the brand’s “Everything” television spot. View “Everything” here: acura.us/Everything.
Due to the fast-changing nature of this situation, Honda will continue to provide updates on our business impacts and actions on Hondanews.com.
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*Retail only. Not available in the State of Florida. Interest accrues during the deferral period.